ABC confirms new 'DWTS' format, rules

ABC has confirmed speculation that the new series of Dancing With The Stars will feature the show's largest ever lineup.

Executive producer Conrad Green told Entertainment Tonight that the reality competition will feature 16 celebrity contestants when it returns for its ninth season next month.

"This is going to be our biggest-ever cast," he explained.

"We are going to start big, and then about halfway through, we are going to do three double eliminations back-to-back. The middle of the season is going to be brutal when half of our cast goes in three weeks."

Green went on to say that Anna Demidova will join the existing professional dancers, but that the network has not decided whether to recruit some new faces or return to previously used dancers.

He added that this year's lineup will feature some very famous names, more sports personalities and a couple of obscure choices.

When asked about rumors that Donny Osmond or Lou Ferrigno could participate, he replied: "I love the fact that people want to be on the show. If people get in the press and say, 'I am on the show,' even if they are not, what can you do?

"I think our celebrity show is the one that most people want to be on because they realize it isn't degrading or demeaning in any way. You learn a new skill, and it is a wholesome family show."

The new lineup will be announced on August 17, with the series premiering on September 22.